Ventilating device



May 28, 1957 L- HOPE ET AL VENTILATING DEVICE 2 She ets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 10, 195 1 INVENTOJRS. am 2266 Me By air/Z6411 y 1957 L. HOPE ET ALVENTILATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 10, 1954 INVENTORF- a AZ.

VENTILATING DEVICE Lawrence Hope and Richard I. Hanford, Chicago, Ill.,assignors to Ilg Electric Ventilating Co., Chicago, 111., a corporationof Delaware ApplicationAugust 10, 1954, Serial No. 448,883

s ciaims. ((198-116) This invention relates to ventilating devices whichare adapted for use in discharging gases and foul air through an openingin an external wall of a building. Ventilating devices of this type areillustrated in the following patents rality of pivoted shutter blades orvanes mounted onthe other side of the vent for closing the latteragainst the ingress of rain, snow, or coldair when the fan is idle.

Various means are provided for actuating theshutter blades in the priorart ventilating devices. In some, the

shutter blades are opened or closed byelectrical actuat- 1 ing means, inothers by mechanical actuating means, and in others the blades areopened by the blast of the fan and closed by gravity when the fan isidle.

It is quite usual for such ventilating devices to malte a considerableamount of noise due to vibration or fluttering of their movableelements,and to. the friction or impact between various of theirelements during operation of the: ventilating devices.

The design. and fabrication of the shutter blades used in theventilating devices is of particular importance. The shutter bladesshould be relatively light so as to be readily pivoted between open andclosed positions during use, and at the same time they should besufficiently rigid so as to maintain their shape without becoming warpedor twisted. In addition, the shutter blades should be so constructed andmounted as to operate in a relatively silent manner;

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide aventilating device which is relatively quiet or noiseless; to provide animproved control means for a ventilating device which holds the shutterblades closed when the fan is idle, aids in holding the blades in openposition when the fan is running, and prevents the shutter blades andassociated elements from vibrating or fluttering; to provide aventilating device with novel, lightweight, rigid shutter blades; toprovide a novel ventilating device having adjustable shutters which willnot rattle or otherwise make any appreciable noise during use; toprovide such ventilating devices which are simple in construction,economical to manufacture, and efiicient for their intended use.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a portion of a building wall on whichis supported an improved ventilating device in accordance with thepresent invention, the shutter vanes being shown in closed position;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view ofthe ventilating deviceillustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial rear elevational, view as seen along Patented May28, 1957 the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing particularly thecounterbalancing means in the improved shutter blade control mechanism;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section of the upper portion of theimproved ventilating device illustrated in the previous figures;

Figure 5 is an enlarged front elevational view, partially in section, ofan upper portion of the improved ventilating device;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the portion of the ventilatingdevice'showing the biasing means of the shutter blade control mechanism,the biasing means and adjacent shutter blade being illustrated invarious positions; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 77 of Figure 6.

In the form shown, the ventilating device comprises a fan assembly 1 andshutter assembly 2 disposed on opposite sides of a vent 3 formed in anexternal building wall 4. The fan assembly land shutter assembly 2 maybe connected together by suitable bolts 5 which extend through the wall4, or each assembly may be individually attached to the wall 4 byindividual bolts. In the form shown, a vent pipe 6 extends through thebuilding wall 4 between the two assemblies. V

The fanassembly 1 includes a fan 7 mounted on the shaft 8 of an electricmotor 9: which is supported on the arms. 1% of a frame 11 which issecured to the building wall 4.

The shutter assembly 2 includes the usualrectangular metal shutter frame12 fabricated from suitable structural members such as anglebars.Between the side members 13 of the: frame 12 are journalled aphiralitybfhorizontally extending shutter blades 14, which aremovablebetween the generally vertical, closed position. shown in Figures 1 and2 to an; open position wherein the shutter blades 14 extend outwardly atanangle approaching from the vertical. The open-position ofoneoftheshutter blades 14 is indicated in Figure. 6. The lower member 15of the shutter frame 12 may have a. portioncut away as indicated at 16to accommodate the vent-pipe 6.

A vertically extending metal support-bar 17 is attached by suitablemeans (notshown) to'the inwardly facing surface 18 of each of the sidemembers 13 of the rectangular shutter frame 12 adjacent the forwardmargins thereof. The support bars 17 are provided with aligned,vertically spacedapart, cylindrical passageways 19'within which aresupported bushings 20 formed ofnylon or other similar material. Theshutter blades 14 are each provided with suitable spindles 21, the outerends 22 of which have a reduced diameter and are journalled withinhorizontally aligned bushings 2i) in the oppo'sedsupport bars 17. Sincethe bushings 26) are formed of material such as nylon, the noise whichusually accompanies therotatio'n of the shutter spindles21 iseliminated;

The shutter blades 14 in the shutter assembly 2 are of generallyidentical construction. Each shutterblade has a hollow body structureincluding an upper horizontally extending hollow rod or tube 23 formedof a relatively rigid, resistant material such as stainless steel. Athin sheet of light metal such as aluminum snugly curves around theupper portion. of the hollow rod- 23 and forms a pair of generally fiatwalls 24 and 25 which extend downwardly in converging relationship fromthe lower end of the hollow rod 23. The upper margin of a rectangularfacing strip 26 formed of nylon or other similar material extendsbetween the lower margins of the walls 24 and 25 and is fixedlypositioned therebetween by suitable rivets 27 which extend between thewalls 24 and 25. The central portion 28 of the metallic sheet whichextends around the hollow. rod 23 is fastened thereto by means such asfasteners 29. The hollow rod 23, the

overlap the same. into each end of the hollow rod 23 and is fixedlyposi- 'wall 25 of the shutter blade 14 have a width slightly less thanthe distance between the support bars 17 whereas the forward wall 24 ofthe shutter blade and'the nylon or nylon-like facing strip 26 have awidth slightly greater than the distance between the support bars -17 soas to A shutter spindle 21 extends partially tioned therein by meanssuch as welding or brazing.

The sides of the shutter blade 14 are suitably closed by the lower armsections 30 of suitable bell crank levers 31. The lower arm sections 30include flanges 32 which extend along and connect through suitablerivets 33 with outer margins of the forward wall 24 of the shutter blade14. The reduced diameter portions 22 of the shutter spindles 21 extendthrough passageways 34 in the bell cranks 31. If desired, added strengthmay be given to the shutter blade 14 by welding or brazing the shutterspindles 21 to the bell cranks 31.

The nylon or nylon-like bushings 20 within the support bars 17 aresuitably spaced apart so that the nylon or nylon-like facing strip 26 ofeach shutter blade 14 except the lowermost shutter blade overlaps theupper curved portion 28 of the next lowermost shutter blade when theshutter blades 14 are in closed position. The bushings 20 which supportthe lowermost shutter blade 14 are positioned so that the facing strip26 of the lowermost shutter blade overlaps the outer edge of the bottommember of the shutter frame 12 when the lowermost shutter blade is inclosed position.

In order to seal the upper portion of the shutter assembly from theentry of rain, snow, or wind, an angular metallic strip 35 is secured bymeans such as screws 36 to the upper margin of the rear wall 25 of theuppermost shutter blade 14 so as to provide an upwardly and forwardlyprojecting blade 37 which extends behind a downwardly extending flange38 at the top of the shutter frame 12. i

The shutter blade construction described above has various advantageswhich are not present in the prior art shutter blade constructions. Theshutter blade 14 is of light weight, yet extremely rigid. It is easilyrotated on its spindles 21 without any tendency to twist or warp. Inaddition, the use of a nylon or a nylon-like facing strip 26 and nylonor nylon-like bushings 19 make the operation of the shutter blade 14 inthe shutter assembly 2 noiseless.

To insure simultaneous and uniform opening and closing movements of theseveral shutter blades 14 in the shutter assembly 2, the shutter blades14 are interconnected through a pair of links or shift bars 39 whichextend vertically on opposite sides of the shutter assembly 2 andrearwardly of the shutter blades 14. The bell cranks 31 previouslymentioned each have an arm section 40 which extends rearwardly andupwardly at an angle of about 45 to the vertical when the associatedshutter blade 14 is in closed position. One of the shift bars 39 ispivotally connected through pins 41 to the outer ends of the armsections 40 of the bell cranks 31 which are located at one side of theshutter blades 14 and the other shift bar 39 is pivotally connectedthrough pins 41 to the outer ends of the arm sections 40 of the bellcranks 31 which are located at the other side of the shutter blades 14.A nylon or nylon-like washer 42 is positioned between each of the armsections 40 and its associated shift bar 39 in order to obtain a freelymovable yet noiseless connection therebetween.

The weight of the shutter blades 14 may be partially counterbalanced byattaching weighted members, such as the bars 43, to the lower ends ofthe shift bars 39. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in thedrawings, the weighted bars 43 are attached to the shift bars 39 throughscrew, Washer, and nut assemblies '44.

In order to preventfluttering between the shift bars 39 and the bellcranks 31, to assist the blast when the fan 7 is running to hold theshutter blades 14 in open position, and to hold the shutter blades 14 inclosed position when the fan 7 is idle, each of the shift bars 39 isbiased towards the shutter blades 14 by a horizontally extending coilspring 45. The spring 45 associated with each shift bar 39 is connectedat one end to the center of the adjacent support bar 17 through a screw46 and and at the other to the base portion 47 of a U-shaped bracket 48which has legs 49 extending horizontally on opposite sides of the shiftbar. A nylon or nylon-like roller or wheel 50 which has a centralreduced diameter portion 51 is supported on a pin or stud 52 between theends of the legs 49 of each of the brackets 48 with the reduced diameterportion 51 of each wheel 50 in rotatable engagement with the rearwardedge of its associated shift bar 39. The wheels 50 permit the shift bars39 to be biased toward the shutter blades 14 without requiring a changein the horizontal position of the springs 45 when the shift bars 39 movein a vertical direction.

The various positions which may be assumed by one of the shutter blades14 during operation of the ventilating device is illustrated in Figure6. As therein illustnated, the end of the arm section 40 of the bellcrank 31 reaches an inner maximum position when the shutter blade 14extends outwardly at an angle which is approximately 45 from thevertical. Since the shift bars 39 are connected to the outer ends of thearm sections 40, the shift bars 39 will be at a maximum distance fromthe support bars 17 when the shutter blades are at an angle ofapproximately 45 from the vertical and at a minimum distance from theshift bars 39 when the shutter blades are in either closed or fully openposition. Starting from closed position, as the shutter blades 14 beginto open, the shift bars 39 will move rearwardly away from the supportbars 17 until the shutter blades are on an angle of approximately 45 tothe vertical. As the shutter blades 14 move beyond this point, the shiftbars 39 will again move towards the support bars 17. Since the springs45 bias the shift bars 39 toward the suppont bars 17, the springs willresist the opening of the shutter blades until the shutter blades areopened beyond a 45 angle to the vertical, after which the springs willaid in the further opening of the shutter blades. As the shutter blades14 move toward closed position, the reverse action takes place, that is,the springs 45 will resist the closing of the shutter blades until theshutter blades are on an angle of about 45 to the vertical, after whichthey will aid: in the closing of the shutter blades.

The weight of the shutter blades 14 are such that when they are in openposition and the fan 7 is turned off, it will slightly exceed the weightof the shift bars 39, counterbalancing weights 43, and the biasing forceof the springs 45 so that the shutter blades 14 will slowly move towardclosed position. When the shutter blades 14 pass beyond the 45 angle,the biasing force of the springs 45 help to snap the shutter blades intoclosed position and to retain them in this position irrespective of thevariations in the external pressure or wind. When the fan 7 is turnedon, the force of the fan blast plus the weight of the shift bars 39 andcounterbalancing weights 43 are sufficient to overcome the weight of theshutter blades 14 plus the biasing force of the springs 45, there- 'bycausing the shutter blades to move toward open position. The force onthe shutter blades 14 produced by the fan blast diminishes as theshutter blades move to- Ward a horizontal position. The force of the fanblast, however, remains sufficiently strong to cause the shutter bladesto move beyond a 45 angle to the vertical and thereafter, the force ofthe biasing springs 45 aids in the further opening movement of theshutter blades. Nor- 'mally, the force of the fan blast, thecounterbalancing weights 43 and springs 45 are such as to permit theshutter blades 14 to, movevto an open postion which is just less than tothe vertical.

Since the shift bars 39 are always under the biasing action of thesprings 45, they constantly press against the pivot pins 41 andconnecting bell crank arm sections 40, thereby eliminating anyfluttering or vibration between these members. This feature is veryimportant in maintaining the noiseless action of the ventilating device.

Variations and modifications in the described details may, of course, beresorted to within the purview and scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. A ventilating device comprising 'a frame having a vent therein, a fanfor causing air to flow through said vent, a plurality of spaced,parallel shutter blades pivotallly mounted on said frame and movablebetween an open and a closed position, each of said shutter bladeshaving an arm extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a verticallyextending link pivotally connected to the outer end of each of said armsfor simultaneously moving said arms, said link having a straightrearward edge, a roller in rotatable engagement with the rearward edgeof said link approximately centrally thereof, a horizontally extendingspring connected between said frame and said roller for biasing saidroller and engaged link toward said shutter blades so as to prevent freeplay be tween said link and said arms, to urge said shutter blades toclosed position when the fan is idle, and to urge the shutter blades toopen position when the fan is operating, and a weight attached to saidlink for counterbalancing a portion of the weight of said shutterblades.

2. A ventilating device comprising a frame having a vent therein, a fanfor causing air to flow through said vent, a plurality of horizontallyextending, vertically spaced shutter blades mounted on said frame forcontrolling the passage of air through said vent, said shutter bladesbeing pivotally journalled in non-metallic bushings on said frame, eachof said shutter blades having an arm extending upwardly and rearwardlytherefrom at an angle of approximately 45", a vertically extending linkpivot-ally connected to the outer end of each of said arms for obtainingsimultaneous movements thereof, said link having a straight rearwardedge, a non-metallic washer positioned between said vertically extendinglink and said arms which :arepivotally connected thereto, a non-metallicroller in rotatable engagement with the rearward edge of said llinkapproximately centrally thereof, a horizorrtally extending springconnected between said frame and said roller for biasing said linktoward said shutter blades so as to prevent free play between said linkand said arms, to urge said shutter blades to closed position when thefan is idle, and to urge said shutter blades to open position when thefan is operating, and a removable weight attached to said link forcounterbalancing a portion of the weight of said shutter blades.

3. A ventilating device comprising a frame having a vent therein, a fanfor causing air to flow through said vent, a plurality of spaced,parallel shutter blades pivotally mounted on said frame and movablebetween an open and a closed position, each of said shutter bladeshaving an arm extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom at each sidethereof, a vertically extending link at each side of said framepivotally connected to the outer ends of said arms which are located atthe adjacent sides of said shutter blades for obtaining simultaneousoperation of said shutter blades, said link having a straight rearwardedge, a roller in rotatable engagement with the rearward edge of each ofsaid links approximately centrally thereof, :a horizontally extendingspring connected between said frame and each of said rollers for biasingsaid links toward said shutter blades so as to prevent free play betweensaid links and the arms which are connected thereto, to urge the shutterblades to closed position when the fan is idle and to urge the shutterblades to open position when the fan is operated, the lower margins ofsaid shutter blades being formed of resilient, non-metallic material,the shutter blades being vertically spaced apart within said frame sothat when they are in closed position the lower resilient margin of eachof the shutter blades except the lowermost shutter blade overlaps theupper margin of the next lower shutter blade, and the lower resilientmargin of the lowermost shutter blade overlaps the bottom portion of theframe, and a removable weight attached to each of said links forcounterbalancing a portion of the weight of said shutter blades.

4. A ventilating device comprising a frame having a vent therein, a fanfor causing air to fiow through said vent, a plurality of spaced,parallel, hollow shutter blades pivotally mounted on said frame andmovable between an open and a closed position, each of said shutterblades having a rounded upper edge and opposed downwardly convergingwalls of generally equal height formed from a thin metallic sheet foldedback upon itself, the rounded upper edge of the shutter blade extendingsnugly around and being fixedly attached to a hollow support rod, afacing strip of resilient material connected between the lower marginsof said converging walls and extending outwardly therefrom, a spindleextending partially into each end of said hollow support rod, theportions of said spindles which extend outwardly of said hollow rodbeing of reduced diameter and journalled in nylon bushings mounted onopposite sides of said frame, means conecting each of said shutterblades for simultaneous movement thereof, and said shutter blades beingsuitably spaced within said frame so that when they are in closedposition, the facing strip of each of the shutter blades except thelowermost shutter blade overlaps the upper edge of the next lowershutter blade and the facing strip of the lowermost shutter bladeoverlaps a bottom portion of the frame.

5. A ventilating device comprising a frame having a vent therein, a fanfor causing air to flow through said vent, a plurality of horizontallyextending vertically spaced hollow shutter blades mounted on said framefor controlling the passage of air through said vent, each of saidshutter blades having a rounded upper edge and opposed, downwardlyconverging walls of approximately equal height formed from a thinmetallic sheet folded centrally back upon itself, the upper rounded edgeof said sheet extending snugly around and being fixedly attached to ahollow support rod, a nylon facing strip connected between the lowermargins of said opposed converging walls and extending outwardlytherefrom, a spindle extending partially into each end of said hollowsupport rod, the portions of said spindles which extend outwardly ofsaid support rod being of reduced diameter and journalled in nylonbushings mounted on opposite sides of said frame, a bell crank at eachside of the shutter blade, one arm of each of said bell cranks beingattached to and forming a closure for the adjacent side of said shutterblade, the other arm of each of said bell cranks extending upwardly andrearwardly from said shutter blade at an angle of approximately 45,means at each side of the frame connecting the outer end of each of saidupwardly extending arms located at the adjacent side of said shutterblades for obtaining simultaneous operation of said shutter blades, andsaid shutter blades being suitably spaced within said frame so that thenylon facing strip of each of the shutter blades except the lowermostshutter blade overlaps the upper edge of the next lower shutter bladeand the nylon facing strip of the lowermost shutter blade overlaps abottom portion of the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,996,340 Mader Apr. 2, 1935 2,272,928 Weaver et al. Feb. 10, 19422,339,363 Sutcliffe Ian. 18, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 562,152. Great BritainJune 20, 1944

